Margaret Hamilton, who led software development for Apollo program, dies at 90
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- Margaret Hamilton, a pioneering computer scientist who led the software engineering team for NASA's Apollo program, died on Sep. 30 at age 90.
- She coined the term 'software engineering' and helped establish it as a dedicated discipline.
- Her priority-driven software and defensive programming were critical to the success of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
- Hamilton received the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to software engineering and space exploration.
- After her work at MIT, she founded two software companies, including Hamilton Technologies, and developed the Universal Systems Language.
- She became an iconic figure for women in STEM, especially after photos of her alongside Apollo code went viral.
- Hamilton's legacy includes numerous awards, such as the NASA Exceptional Space Act Award and induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.